Fifa World Cup: All Whites draw with Iran as Elijah Just scores double in thriller
Michael Burgess in Los Angeles
So how exactly do you begin to explain this?
It might have been the greatest Fifa World Cup match the All Whites have ever played. It was certainly the best from an attacking point of view, with two brilliant goals from midfielder Elijah Just amid some sumptuous attacking play.
At times it was the stuff that dreams are made of, the stuff that would have the boys of 1982 and 2010 on their feet and bursting with pride.
But equally, this was the one that got away. In a big way. Twice New Zealand had the lead and twice they let it go. Both goals were relatively poor concessions – especially at this level.
It meant the All Whites ended with a 2-2 result against Iran, when it seemed like they were headed for their first victory at this level.
So while this performance will be celebrated – and it should be – everyone will wonder what might have been. The All Whites had a ticket to the knockout stages in their hands, with three points likely to be enough to go through, before it was ripped away from them. Twice. The defensive lapses will be hard to take, especially as defence has traditionally been New Zealand’s strength over the years.
But equally, what a performance. The All Whites didn’t shrink from the spotlight and took the game to their higher-ranked opponents (world No 22). This will give great confidence for what is to come, though Egypt will be fearsome opposition.
It was a truly crazy, breathless game. Both teams attacked with verve and vigour, like something from the 1950s or 1960s, with the usual defensive caution thrown to the wind.
Just opened the scoring in the seventh minute, after combining with Sarpreet Singh and Chris Wood, before another goal from the heavens in the 55th minute, easily the best World Cup strike from a New Zealander. But unfortunately, from an All Whites point of view, Iran managed equalisers midway through both halves.
It was, as expected, a surreal atmosphere before the match. There were thousands of Iranian fans streaming into the stadium, almost all expatriates from the United States and Canada, and some of them clashed over different political views, while a large protest against the regime was held earlier in the morning.
But the pockets of New Zealand support stood out throughout the vast arena, while four fans managed a pre-match haka just above the All Whites’ dugout. Coach Darren Bazeley went for a predictable lineup – the same XI that started against England last Sunday, with Callum McCowatt coming in for the luckless Matt Garbett, who is heading home with a hamstring injury.
In their first match at this level for 16 years, New Zealand made a nervous start. A couple of passes were miscontrolled, while another went over the sideline. But they settled quickly, realising they were getting more space in midfield than they would have expected. There seemed to be a dizzying amount of action in the first five or so minutes – before the magic moment we will never forget of Just’s emphatic finish.
It was a peach of a goal, a real “where were you when” episode. It came from a neat build-up, as Wood controlled and pivoted outside the area before passing to Just, who in turn found Singh.
Singh flicked the ball into the area where Wood touched it on to Just. But still there was work to do, as he shifted from left to right, before striking home.
The New Zealand support erupted – especially the large Flying Kiwis group – as the players celebrated in the far corner and the Iran team looked stunned. That mood extended to their support, as the “Iran, Iran” chants died down.
The All Whites then enjoyed their best period of the match. Singh wriggled free – but skewed his shot wide – after good work by Wood. There was another chance minutes later, as a Callum McCowatt scissor kick from a corner was blocked and fell to Wood. But the ball was stuck under the striker’s feet for a split second, allowing a defender to lunge desperately and block the shot.
But Iran were dangerous as the match swung end to end. A superb Marko Stamenic cover tackle averted one sticky situation, before Finn Surman was alert in the area to shut down his marker, with penalty appeals waved away. Wood almost produced something from a turn in the area, while Singh got free but shot directly at the keeper.
Libby Cacace also burst forward – testing the keeper from a tight angle – though Wood was disappointed not to receive a cut back.
The first equaliser for Iran was a soft goal at this level. Just failed to track his man, Michael Boxall wasn’t close enough and Joe Bell probably could have shut down the first pass. That hurt, especially given the All Whites’ opportunities, though Iran had been unlucky, with Mehdi Taremi finding the woodwork a few minutes earlier.
There was more before the interval. A Wood free kick was too straight, while McCowatt cut inside but couldn’t direct his shot with his left foot.
The second half continued in much the same vein, neither side willing or able to shut the game down, with constant transition.
Then came more pure Kiwi magic in the 55th minute. If the first goal was good, this was even better. McCowatt and Singh combined to send Just away, who found Wood on the run. The striker then measured his pass superbly, before the angled finish – again on Just’s right foot – past the Iran keeper. This was dreamland stuff. What were we watching?
But the All Whites never looked safe, with keeper Max Crocombe having to nip in soon afterwards, as Iran threatened. The Iran crowd was coming into it more and more and got their reward in the 65th minute, with Mohammad Mohebi’s header. It was a brilliant cross and Mohebi rose well to direct his header in off the post. But it was another gut punch from a New Zealand point of view, as the striker got between Michael Boxall and Surman far too easily, given defending crosses should be bread and butter for All Whites teams. They looked visibly deflated as they walked back to halfway, though they gathered themselves quickly.
Ryan Thomas (McCowatt) and Ben Old (Liberato Cacace) were introduced before Callan Elliot was sent on late for a tiring Tim Payne. The All Whites had moments – as Wood threatened – then almost stole the ball from keeper Alireza Beiranvand as he ventured dangerously.
But chances were at a premium and Iran finished stronger. They kept pushing – in an extremely tense finale – with vital late interventions from Joe Bell and Surman averting what would have been a heartbreaking match-winner.
That's a wrap
Ben Francis
That is all for this live page. Stay tuned to the Herald for further post match analysis.
Tomorrow, there are another four games taking place.
France v Senegal
Iraq v Norway
Argentina v Algeria
Austria v Jordan
And don't forget, the All Whites are top of Group G and back in action on Monday against Egypt.
Who is Elijah Just?
Ben Francis
Prior to the tournament, Michael Burgess caught up with Elijah Just who spoke about his breakout season with Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.
Most goals for New Zealand at Fifa World Cups
Cameron McMillan
Hannah Wilkinson 3
Elijah Just 2
Rebekah Stott 1
Sarah Gregorius 1
Amber Hearn 1
Rebecca Smith 1
Shane Smeltz 1
Winston Reid 1
Kim Nye 1
Steve Sumner 1
Steve Woodden 1
Own goals 1
Darren Bazeley proud of Elijah Just
Ben Francis
Speaking on the TVNZ broadcast, Darren Bazeley said it was great to see Elijah Just claim a brace in the 2-2 draw with Iran.
"I don't normally get too carried away when we score, but they're great moments," Bazeley said.
"We've been saying for a long time now, to score a goal you have to have a moment, somebody has to have a moment.
"I said to them beforehand, somebody here is going to have a moment today that will live forever. Eli's had two, great goals and they were great moments for the team and for the bench and for the fans and everybody back home.
"That's what we came here to do. Disappointing to not win.
"We need to perform consistently for 90 minutes, clear up those moments defensively, take more moments in attack.
We can compete with any of these teams."
All Whites coach admits they are "disappointed" with the result
Ben Francis
Speaking on the TVNZ broadcast, Darren Bazeley admits they are "disappointed not to win".
"Extremely proud of the players, the work rate and the performance," Bazeley said.
"We created loads of chances. I thought we were really, good in possession, defended pretty well for the majority.
"We've come off disappointed not win a game because we're leading twice, scored two great goals, had some moments which was really good.
"It's going to hurt a little bit because we had a chance to make history tonight and win a game at a World Cup and we came really close. We didn't lose, we kept in it and played really, really well."
Michael Burgess match report
Ben Francis
Michael Burgess shares his thoughts with his match report from Los Angeles.
Elijah Just reacts to the result and scoring a brace
Ben Francis
Elijah Just was speaking on TVNZ's broadcast after the match.
"It's really special," Just said. "We had a lot of goals coming into this tournament and the first was to get on the board. So one point is okay and there's a lot of positives that we can keep building on.
On scoring a brace:
"It's not something that I could have ever dreamed of. I'm just so happy. One was nice and then two is just amazing," Just said.
On the upcoming matches
"We know that we have tough opponents," Just said. "We all watched the Egypt v Belgium game, we know how strong they are, so we've got a lot of work to do."
When do the All Whites play next?
Ben Francis
The All Whites face Egypt in Vancouver on Monday, at 1pm. The Herald will have live coverage across the day building up to the match.
Cameron McMillan
Fulltime: All Whites draw with Iran
Ben Francis
The whistle goes and it ends in a 2-2 draw.
What a game that was. New Zealand led twice, only for Iran to respond. That could be seen are two points dropped for the All Whites, but a draw is a big result.
Elijah Just scored both of New Zealand's goals, with Chris Wood providing the assists.
According to Google, the result means the All Whites are top of the table.
90 + 4 min - One last chance for Iran
Ben Francis
A big moments here with Iran taking a corner and the ball bounces around the box, but the All Whites manage to clear it thanks to a Ryan Thomas header.
90 + 2 min - Chris Wood header saved
Ben Francis
Jesse Randall makes a quick impact and fires in a cross which finds Chris Wood, but it goes straight in to the hands of Alireza Beiranvand.
90 + 1 min - All Whites make double change
Ben Francis
Jesse Randall finally comes on to the field, replacing Sarpreet Singh, while Tyler Bindon replaces Marko Stamenić.
90 min - Five minutes of added time
Ben Francis
There will be five minutes for either side to find a winner, otherwise we will have our fourth draw today.
89 min - First yellow card of the game
Ben Francis
Ehsan Hajsafi commits a blatant foul and his handed the first yellow card of the game. It was a play he had to make as the All Whites were about to launch a counter attack.
87 min - Comfortable save from Max Crocombe
Ben Francis
Saeid Ezatolahi attempts a long range shot, but it ends up being a routine save for Max Crocombe.
Not long left now, but Iran looking more lively in the closing exchanges.
85 min - Edgy times for All Whites
Ben Francis
Iran get the ball inside the box, but the ball doesn't land cleanly for them and eventually their shot goes well over the goal.
81 min - Fine margins for New Zealand
Ben Francis
New Zealand wins a free kick and they get the ball in to the box. Finn Surman contests Alireza Beiranvand for the ball, but the Iran keeper just gets his fist to the ball.
80 min - Iran make another change
Ben Francis
With 10 minutes left of normal time, Iran's captain Mehdi Taremi heads off with Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh coming on.
78 min - Tim Payne comes off
Ben Francis
The Kiwi hero Tim Payne, who has gained a further 100,000 Instagram followers since the game started comes off and Callan Elliot is on.
75 min - New Zealand in the attacking zone
Ben Francis
New Zealand have the ball inside the attacking third. They are working their way around the box looking for a cross and they eventually find one, but it is too deep.
70 min - Play resumes
Ben Francis
Here we go for the final stretch. These are some big moments coming up.
New Zealand will need to create history to secure a historic win over Iran, as they have never scored three goals in a World Cup fixture.
68 min - Hydration break
Ben Francis
Time for the players to compose themselves ahead of a crucial final 20 minutes.
Max Crocombe is down in the box and getting assessed.
67 min - Subs coming on for All Whites
Ben Francis
The All Whites make a double change with Libby Cacace and Callum McCowatt coming off. Ben Old and Ryan Thomas head on to the field.
Iran also makes another change with Iran Ehsan Hajisafi replacing Saman Ghoddos.
63 min - Iran equalise
Ben Francis
Another lapse in defence costs the All Whites with Iran drawing level again.
Ramin Rezaeian crosses the ball in to the box and Mohammad Mohebi gets his head to it and the ball goes off the inside of the post.
60 min - Pace slows down
Ben Francis
After a brief period of intensity, the match has slowed down a little bit.
It will be interesting to see when the All Whites start brining on the reinforcements. They have made no changes, while Iran has made two.
57 min - Iran almost hit back immediately
Ben Francis
Iran almost reply instantly but Max Crocombe produces a crucial save.
55 min - All Whites score through Elijah Just
Ben Francis
The All Whites retake the lead and it's Elijah Just with his second.
He combines with Chris Wood, who holds the ball up and passes it back to Just who smashes it past Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
That was almost a repeat of the first half, with Iran dominating the opening exchanges only for New Zealand to hit back.
Just has a brace and Wood has two assists.
52 min - Iran make second change
Ben Francis
Shahriyar Moghanloo heads off with Ali Alipour coming on for his first World Cup appearance.
50 min - All Iran to start the second half
Ben Francis
Iran have controlled possession for most of the second half so far. Iran has a couple of long range efforts from Shahriyar Moghanloo, but they are off the mark.
47 min - Chris Wood fires from range
Ben Francis
Chris Wood gets the ball and almost fends off a defender before firing in a powerful shot, which sails over the goal high and wide. If the NFL posts were up, that may have gone over.
46 min - Iran attack early
Ben Francis
After Iran gets the match started, they go long Iran but Finn Surman wins the race to the ball.
Second half underway
Ben Francis
Iran get the second half started.
Iran make one halftime change
Ben Francis
Iran are making cone change with Arya Yousefi heading off and Mehdi Ghayedi coming on.
Cameron McMillan
Cameron McMillan
Michael Burgess' assessment of first half
Ben Francis
NZ Herald reporter Michael Burgess shares his thoughts on the first half from the stadium.
On a surface a great half for New Zealand against the World No 22 Iran.
They created several chances and had a lot more space in the attacking third than they would have anticipated.
The goal was a beauty too, nice move and brilliant finish. But - and this is the big but - they had opportunities to put the foot on the throat - when Iran were wobbling - and couldn't quite do it - before the equaliser through Ramin Rezaeian, which was a soft goal to concede at this level.
You would expect Iran to be better in 2nd half, as they make some adjustments, so NZ will have to improve too.
Would like to see Thomas on, soonish. And either Randall or Old to stretch their defence.
Halftime stats
Cameron McMillan
Attempts on goal: New Zealand 9 Iran 7
On target: New Zealand 5 Iran 2
Fouls against: New Zealand 4 Iran 2
Offsides: New Zealand 0 Iran 1
Passes: New Zealand 261 Iran 238
Crosses: New Zealand 8 Iran 1
Corners: New Zealand 1 Iran 0
Halftime - All Whites and Iran level at break
Ben Francis
Wow what a first half of football there with the scores locked at 1-1.
Elijah Just opened the scoring against the run of play, but Iran managed to equalise through Ramin Rezaian.
New Zealand should be pleased with how they're playing so far.
45 + 6 min - Disallowed goal to Iran
Ben Francis
Ali Nemati wins the race to the ball and finds the back of the net, but the goal won't count as the linesman has his flag up. That was a great call as he was miles offside. Good call by the assistant referee.
New Zealand will be breathing a sigh of relief as that would have been an awful time to concede.
45 + 5 min - Attacking free kick to Iran
Ben Francis
Iran have the chance to launch the ball in to the box just before halftime. It is a long-range free kick, and the players are lining up on the edge of the box.
45 + 3 min
Ben Francis
Iran launch a long throw in and Ali Nemati gets his head to the ball and it goes over the net. Hard to say if that was an attempt on goal or not.
45 min - Six minutes of added time
Ben Francis
Still plenty of time for something to happen late in the first half. Regardless, it's been a lively so far.
44 min - Attacking free kick to New Zealand
Ben Francis
Liberato Cacace is taken down on the edge of the box and New Zealand have an attacking free kick.
Chris Wood fires a shot at goal and it isn't a great strike and it ends up being a routine save for Alireza Beiranvand.
Cameron McMillan
38 min - Michael Burgess from Los Angeles
Ben Francis
NZ Herald reporter Michael Burgess offers his assessment from the stadium.
All Whites needed to make hay because Iran were always going to come back.
Failure to take those earlier chances to make it 2-0 could be really costly.
Poor goal to concede, as Just needed to track his man and Michael Boxall had to be closer.
36 min - Iran the better team since hydration break
Ben Francis
The break has done wonders for Iran, who have looked like the superior side since proceedings resumed.
31 min - Iran equalise
Ben Francis
Ramin Rezaian finds the back of the net and Iran draw level after some poor defending by New Zealand.
Finn Surman makes a big tackle to stop Shahriar Moghanloo but the ball bobbles out, Michael Boxall is too slow to react and Ramin Rezaeian taps it past Max Crocombe.
29 min - New Zealand have another shot on goal
Ben Francis
Liberato Cacace get the ball inside the box and fires a shot, but it ends up being a routine save by Alireza Beiranvand.
28 min - Anxious moment for All Whites
Ben Francis
Very close to turning in to a disaster for New Zealand there. From the attack Iran have a crack at goal and Max Crocombe has the ball from outside the box.
He attempts to clear and an Iranian player takes the ball of him. They have a shot with an empty net, but it is off target.
Cameron McMillan
27 min - Play resumes
Ben Francis
Play is back underway with a New Zealand throw. Iran get the ball back right away and go right on the attack.
Stats
Cameron McMillan
Shots - Iran 2 New Zealand 5
On target - Iran 1 New Zealand 2
Fouls - Iran 1 New Zealand 2
Passes completed - Iran 117 New Zealand 138
24 min - Hydration break
Ben Francis
Time for the players to have a quick drink.
Looking at the stats, New Zealand have been impressive. They've had 51% possession with six shots, compared to Iran's two.
Both sides have had further chances to find the back of the net.
22 min - Iran hit the post from outside the box
Ben Francis
New Zealand control the ball in attacking third. They're passing the ball around , and Iran get it back and go on the counter attack.
They have numbers with New Zealand's defenders retreating and Mehdi Taremi fires a powerful shot from outside the box and it hits the post!
That was very close to being an equaliser for Iran.
17 min - Iran appeal for a penalty
Ben Francis
Shahriyar Moghanloo tries to run on to a long ball and he's taken down by Finn Surman. The hands of the Iranian players go up right away, but the referee is having none of it, and play resumes.
16 min - Iran fighting back
Ben Francis
After a brief dominance of possession, Iran are now hot on attack. The ball goes through the legs of Marko Stamenić and Iran attempt a shot, which is deflected.
Cameron McMillan
14 min - New Zealand nearly score a second.
Ben Francis
Chris Wood was millimetres from scoring New Zealand's second goal of the game. He gets the ball at his feet inside the box and he turns to kick it, but the Iranian defender just gets his foot to the ball first and the ball deflects.
11 min - New Zealand hot on attack
Ben Francis
The All Whites want a second goal and they continue to press. Elijah Just and Chris Wood combine for another nice passage of play and the ball lands at the feet of Sarpreet Singh who makes a nice dribble before his shot goes well wide.
Cameron McMillan
7 min - Elijah Just scores for New Zealand
Ben Francis
Chris Wood and Elijah Just combine for a stunning goal and New Zealand strike with their first shot on target.
Wood holds the ball up and he finds Just to smashes the shot past Alireza Beiranvand.
It was a well worked play and Just becomes just the fifth Kiwi to score at a World Cup.
5 min - Iran get first shot on goal
Ben Francis
There might be some nerves for the All Whites players early in the match, with some wayward passing not helping.
Iran are playing direct and they find space down the left wing and Aria Yousefi fires a shot a goal and it is saved by Max Crocombe.
3 min - Iran make fast start
Ben Francis
Iran looking lively in the opening exchanges, but New Zealand's defence is doing their job.
1 min - Iran on attack early
Ben Francis
Iran get the ball off New Zealand and cross it in, but New Zealand managed to clear it.
Iran work it back to the keeper to build their attack again.
Kickoff
Ben Francis
New Zealand get the match started and we are under way in Los Angeles.
Moments away from kickoff
Ben Francis
The national anthem's are done and the players have shaken hands.
It is game time!
New Zealand ready to take the field
Ben Francis
The All Whites players have been standing in the tunnel for a couple of minutes, waiting for the Iran players to appear.
There is a decent crowd in attendance, plenty of noise out on the field.
Not long now
Cameron McMillan
After 5,835 days since their last World Cup game we're just minutes away from kickoff in Los Angeles.
Cameron McMillan
View from the ground
Cameron McMillan
Form ahead of the tournament
Ben Francis
Iran won both their friendlies against Gambia (3-0) and Mali (2-0), which were played behind closed doors in Türkiye.
New Zealand on the other hand, lost both theirs. Going down 4-0 to Haiti, then 1-0 to England.
Cameron McMillan
Another draw - Saudi Arabia 1 Uruguay 1
Cameron McMillan
Third draw of the day. All even in Group H.
Iran team to face the All Whites
Cameron McMillan
1 Alireza Beiranvand, 4 Shojae Khalilzadeh, 5 Milad Mohammadi, 17 Arya Yousefi, 19 Ali Nemati, 23 Ramin Rezaian, 6 Saeid Ezatolahi, 8 Mohammad Mohebi, 14 Saman Ghoddos, 9 Mehdi Taremi, 20 Shahriyar Moghanloo.
All Whites team to play Iran
Cameron McMillan
1 Max Crocombe, 2 Tim Payne, 16 Finn Surman, 5 Michael Boxall, 13 Libby Cacace, 6 Joe Bell, 8 Marko Stamenic, 10 Sarpreet Singh, 20 Callum McCowatt, 11 Elijah Just, 9 Chris Wood.
Live updates: Uruguay 1 Saudi Arabia 1
Cameron McMillan
Uruguay finally get the equaliser with 10 minutes left.
What it's like to score at a World Cup
Cameron McMillan
Shane Smeltz - 7th minute v Italy, 2010
With colourful support in the stands and hundreds of thousands watching back home despite the 2am kickoff, the All Whites made a perfect start, Smeltz poking home a deflected Simon Elliott free kick.
“I remember thinking, this ball is going into the box,” Smeltz told the Herald.
“I was starting in the middle of the pack. We had some big boys. I’m just over six foot, and I was the smallest among the frontline, plus we had Winston [Reid] and Ryan [Nelsen].”
“I always had a knack of just getting off the shoulder on people,” said Smeltz. “Cannavaro was marking me and he tracked my run until he realised the ball was coming in and he half took his eye off me and was half on the ball, which was natural for a defender in the box.
“Luckily for me, it ends up going straight through and bounces off Cannavaro, surprisingly, and falls between myself and the goalkeeper, and there was only one person who was going to get on the end of that.”
“I just had to lunge myself at it and poke it home,” Smeltz said, who placed it neatly past goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.
“It was a simple finish in the end. But to be 1-0 up after 7 minutes, against Italy; this is cloud nine stuff.”
What it's like to score at a World Cup
Cameron McMillan
Winston Reid - 93rd minute v Slovakia, 2010
A long Mark Paston kick was flicked on before being cleared by the Slovakian defence. It fell towards their captain but Shane Smeltz was more desperate and regained possession. His cross into the box found the head of Reid.
Reid hung in the air, then deftly directed home the cross. Cue pandemonium. Players sprinted to the corner – with most of the bench joining them – but were in danger of falling into a 5m-deep empty moat that encircled the field.
"This is the most important goal of my life," Reid told media after the 1-1 draw with Slovakia.
"I try to get forward more often but don't often score, so this is great."
Captain Ryan Nelsen: “We stormed over to celebrate with Reidy and all nearly fell down into this massive void. But it was an awesome feeling. You know you’re in the tournament from then on.”
Who will start for the All Whites?
Cameron McMillan
We're expecting the lineup to be released no later than midday.
Here's what Michael Burgess is predicting:
Max Crocombe, Tim Payne, Finn Surman, Michael Boxall, Libby Cacace, Joe Bell, Marko Stamenic, Sarpreet Singh, Ben Old, Elijah Just, Chris Wood.
Iran fans clash over flag in Los Angeles before All Whites match
Cameron McMillan
Logan Rogerson gets the call
Cameron McMillan
What it's like to score at a World Cup
Cameron McMillan
Steve Wooddin - 64th minute v Scotland, 1982
Ten minutes later it got even better, as fullback John Hill released Wooddin with a pinpoint long ball, before the striker produced a trademark finish into the corner of the goal.
“I got through, with just the keeper to beat,” Wooddin told the Herald. “He didn’t come out that far so I just waited till I got to the edge of the penalty area and picked my spot.”
What it's like to score at a World Cup
Cameron McMillan
Four All Whites have scored at the World Cup
Steven Sumner - 54th minute v Scotland, 1982
Trailing 2-0, Wynton Rufer sent in a cross which was collected by a Scotland defender but the back pass to goalie Alan Rough was short. Sumner’s tenacity saw him beat Rough to the ball, just.
Sumner said in an interview in 2014: “Rough had committed himself but I got there first and managed to get a toe at it, poked it underneath him and as I’m stumbling over the top of him I manage to stick it away. I couldn’t miss that from there.”
“As I ran back to the centre circle with the ball tucked under my arm I looked over my shoulder to where I knew my parents were sitting and I saw my father stood up with his arms aloft. I’m sure he enjoyed seeing his lad scoring in the World Cup finals. That was quite special.”
They did not bet responsibly
Cameron McMillan
Uruguay 0 Saudi Arabia 1
Cameron McMillan
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia take the lead as Abdulelah Alamri pounces of a rebound from the Uruguay goalie. Saudi Arabia was enjoying a good passage of play the last few minutes and make the most of it.
Uruguay 0 Saudi Arabia 0 - 30 mins gone
Cameron McMillan
Uruguay with the best chance so far but a header cleared off the line.
Referee cleared over alleged racist hand gesture
Ben Francis
Australian referee Shaun Evans has issued a statement after a hand gesture sparked controversy before Germany's 7-1 win over Curacao.
Mexican fans cheering on New Zealand
Cameron McMillan
Mexican fans bought their All Whites shirts in Mexico City for $20!
How Iran qualified
Cameron McMillan
New Zealand were the second team to qualify for the World Cup, booking their place on March 20, 2025. And then a day later, Iran became the third team.
Iran topped Group A in the AFC third round with seven wins, two draws and just one defeat from their 10 games. That only loss was against Qatar. Mehdi Taremi was their top goalscorer with five while Sardar Azmoun and Mohammad Mohebi both netted four each.
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